When does a musafir (traveller) become a muqim (resident)?

I have a question about safr and qasr prayer. The details are provided below:

1. A family consists of Parents and two adult sons. They are originally from Country A, but resides now permanently at Country B.

2. They are travelling to Country A and intends to stay there for 25 days.

3. Within that 25 days, they will be journey to 3 different cities within the country. Each city is at a distance greater than that of safr. i.e. 77 or 88 km. Example, They land in the capital, stay for 7 days, then goes to another far away city, stay there for 3 days, returns to capital, stays for another 7 days, then goes to another city and stays for 3 days, and returns to capital for remaining time etc.

4. Neither the Parents, nor the sons have any property in Country A.

5. So they will be all living in a relative’s house (such as the Dad’s brother’s house) in the capital.

In such a scenario, will they be performing qasr all throughout the 25 days or become muqeem?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, for a musāfir (traveller) to become a muqīm (resident), he must make intention of staying at one place during the nights for 15 consecutive days or more. Staying at one place refers to spending 15 nights or more in one area. The area of residence must be the same. If he makes intention of residing at two or more different geographical areas for a total of 15 days, he will not be regarded as a muqīm.[1]

In the scenario stated in your question, the family will be performing qasr (curtailing the prayer) throughout the 25 days as they will not be residing in one geographical area for 15 days.